Death sentences
Archive theme
A death sentence is not the same thing as an execution: years can pass between the two, and the sentence may be overturned on appeal, commuted, or never carried out. Counting them separately measures two different things: how far a state resorts to capital punishment, and how far it actually applies it.
This page collects the news on death sentences handed down around the world, on the later stages of appeal, and on the sentences upheld or overturned. Executions have a page of their own.
Latest news
- JANUARY 1, 2010MalaysiaDEATH PENALTY
In Malaysia capital crimes include murder...
In Malaysia capital crimes include murder...
- JANUARY 1, 2010IraqDEATH PENALTY
On April 9, 2003 Saddam Hussein’s Baathist regime was overthrown by a US-led military coalition.
On April 9, 2003 Saddam Hussein’s Baathist regime was overthrown by a US-led military coalition.
- JANUARY 1, 2010Congo - KinshasaDEATH PENALTY
Capital crimes are: aggravated murder, aggravated robbery, treason...
Capital crimes are: aggravated murder, aggravated robbery, treason, spying, political and military offences and genocide.
- JANUARY 1, 2010GuineaDEATH PENALTY
Capital crimes include aggravated murder, spying and armed robbery.
Capital crimes include aggravated murder, spying and armed robbery.
- JANUARY 1, 2010GuatemalaDEATH PENALTY
The Guatemalan penal code (1973) provides for the death penalty for parricide...
The Guatemalan penal code (1973) provides for the death penalty for parricide, aggravated homicide and assassination of the President or Vice-President.
- JANUARY 1, 2010Equatorial GuineaDEATH PENALTY
Aggravated murder, spying and armed robbery are capital crimes.
Aggravated murder, spying and armed robbery are capital crimes.
- JANUARY 1, 2010LaosDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty in Laos is applied in cases of treason, murder and rape
The death penalty in Laos is applied in cases of treason, murder and rape
- JANUARY 1, 2010CubaDEATH PENALTY
The Penal Code presently in force provides for the death penalty for 112 offences, 33 of which are common crimes.
The Penal Code presently in force provides for the death penalty for 112 offences, 33 of which are common crimes.
- JANUARY 1, 2010MoroccoDEATH PENALTY
Morocco retains the death penalty for ordinary crimes and military crimes.
Morocco retains the death penalty for ordinary crimes and military crimes..
- DECEMBER 30, 2009ChinaDEATH PENALTY
Wang Tianlun was given a death sentence suspended...
Wang Tianlun was given a death sentence suspended...
- DECEMBER 29, 2009IranDEATH PENALTY
IRAN: 61-YEAR-OLD MAN SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR SPEAKING AT MEMORIAL FOR MASSACRED POLITICAL PRISONERS
Ali Saremi, 61, was sentenced to death for speaking at a memorial ceremony held for members and sympathizers of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran.
- DECEMBER 29, 2009ChinaDEATH PENALTY
CHINA: MOB KINGPINS BOTH RECEIVE DEATH SENTENCE
a mob boss and his right-hand man were sentenced to death in China.
- DECEMBER 29, 2009LebanonDEATH PENALTY
LEBANON: SEVEN FROM BADDAWI SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR TERROR
death sentences were given to six Palestinians and one Lebanese after Lebanese Military Investigative Magistrate Fadi Sawwan charged them with belonging to a terrorist group.
DECEMBER 29, 2009United KingdomDEATH PENALTYCHINA: BRITON EXECUTED FOR DRUG SMUGGLING
Akmal Shaikh, a British national who was convicted of smuggling drugs into China, was executed by lethal
- DECEMBER 28, 2009JapanDEATH PENALTY
JAPAN: MAN WITHDRAWS DEATH SENTENCE APPEAL
a man sentenced to death for killing two people and injuring seven during a knife spree in Japan’s Ibaraki Prefecture withdrew his appeal.
DECEMBER 28, 2009IranDEATH PENALTYIRAN: MAN SENTENCED TO DEATH IN TEHRAN
Ahmad Karimi, a young carpenter accused of being a ringleader in the post-election unrest in Iran
- DECEMBER 26, 2009IranDEATH PENALTY
YEMEN: IRANIAN SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR DRUG CHARGES
Iranian man Mumtaz Sultan Amiri was sentenced to death by Judge Redhwan Al Namer of the Yemeni State Security Court for bringing drugs from Iran to Yemen by the Hudhramout east coast.
- DECEMBER 23, 2009ChinaDEATH PENALTY
a court in China's Xinjiang region sentenced a further five people to death for their role
a court in China's Xinjiang region sentenced a further five people to death for their role
- DECEMBER 22, 2009ChinaDEATH PENALTY
MORE UIGHURS SENTENCED TO DEATH IN CHINA
China sentenced Uighur Mehmet Maheti, 19, to death after finding him guilty of two murders and robbery.
- DECEMBER 22, 2009CaliforniaDEATH PENALTY
USA - California. A jury sentenced Alberto Alvarez to death
USA - California. A jury sentenced Alberto Alvarez to death
DECEMBER 22, 2009EthiopiaDEATH PENALTYETHIOPIA: FIVE SENTENCED TO DEATH OVER ASSASSINATION PLOT
five prominent Ethiopian politicians were sentenced to death by the Federal High Court for plotting
- DECEMBER 21, 2009PakistanDEATH PENALTY
PAKISTAN: MAN GETS DEATH FOR KIDNAPPING
an Anti-Terrorism Court in Pakistan awarded the death sentence to an accused of kidnapping and confiscated his property.
- DECEMBER 21, 2009IndiaDEATH PENALTY
INDIA: 2 AWARDED DEATH SENTENCE FOR MURDER
two brothers were awarded the death sentence in Allahabad, India, by Fast Track Court Judge D P N Singh.
- DECEMBER 21, 2009CaliforniaDEATH PENALTY
USA - California. A jury has recommended the death penalty for Christopher Guy Jasso
USA - California. A jury has recommended the death penalty for Christopher Guy Jasso
- DECEMBER 19, 2009PakistanDEATH PENALTY
PAKISTAN: COURTS CONVICT THREE OF MURDER IN SEPARATE CASES
three different Additional District and Sessions courts in Kasur, Pakistan, handed down death sentences along with Rs 100,000 fines to three convicts in separate cases.
- DECEMBER 18, 2009ChinaDEATH PENALTY
CHINA: BILLIONAIRE GIVEN DEATH PENALTY FOR MURDER
in China, billionaire Wang Wenxiang, 49, of Heilongjiang Province, was sentenced to death for hiring his personal secretary Bai Peng and a migrant worker Yu Yi, to kill businessman Zhong Yishi.
- DECEMBER 17, 2009ThailandDEATH PENALTY
THAILAND: TWO MILITARY OFFICERS SENTENCED OVER DRUGS
the Thai Criminal Court sentenced Colonel Phisit Amornwisaisorradej and Lt-Colonel Surayuth Sangthep to death, but later commuted Sangthep's sentence to life in prison.
- DECEMBER 17, 2009United StatesDEATH PENALTY
USA - Death Penalty Information Center has publisher the "Year Report"
USA - Death Penalty Information Center has publisher the "Year Report"
- DECEMBER 16, 2009SudanDEATH PENALTY
SUDAN COURT UPHOLDS DEATH PENALTY AGAINST US DIPLOMAT ASSASSINS
a Sudanese court rejected the appeal by four men sentenced to death for assassinating a USAID employee John Granville and his driver in 2008
- DECEMBER 16, 2009IllinoisDEATH PENALTY
USA - Illinois. Judge George Bakalis formally imposed the death penalty on Brian Dugan
USA - Illinois. Judge George Bakalis formally imposed the death penalty on Brian Dugan